Signs of rheumatic heart disease

With heart disease posing a major risk to thousands of people every single year, it is vital to know what the signs of heart disease actually are. So what exactly should you be looking out for when they say cardiac disease? Is there a difference between cardiac disease and cardiovascular disease?

The Common Signs of Heart Disease

There are a variety of different heart diseases out there and the signs for each one are usually different. Some of the most common symptoms however include:

Angina can be really painful and it is basically a discomfort or a tightness of the chest which makes it harder to breathe properly. Sometimes sufferers mistake Angina for heartburn as there is little difference in the feeling of the two conditions. So, if you are feeling a tight, uncomfortable, painful feeling in the chest area it could well be Angina. Whilst it is most common in the chest, sufferers have also been known to feel it in their shoulders and neck as well as their arms and jaw. If you are worried that you may have Angina visit your doctor and they will be able to diagnose you and give you relevant treatment to control it if needed.

This is obviously one of the most severe symptoms of heart disease but they do occur in many people. A heart attack can generally be recognized by a variety of different symptoms including difficulty breathing, sweating and feeling nauseous and a feeling of choking. A heart attack usually lasts for around half an hour and many start off gradually and become more severe over time. The scary thing about heart attacks is that you can actually have one without having suffered from any of the symptoms. This type of heart attack is usually more frequent in people who suffer from Diabetes.

Heart palpitations are basically a feeling of fluttering or a sudden pounding within the heart. Many people who suffer from heart palpitations end up needed treatment such as a pacemaker to control the condition. Shortness of breath can be a symptom of heart failure as over time liquid fills the lungs and it does make breathing really difficult. You may also notice that you are coughing up white mucus and that is another common symptom of heart failure. So, if you have suddenly been having a shortness of breath it could very well be a symptom of heart disease.

Overall there are many different signs to look out for with heart disease. Sometimes the symptoms can be similar to other illnesses so it is not always easy to tell whether you do have heart disease or not. The best way to tell is to visit the doctor and receive regular check ups just to be sure.